iSCIENCE
FUSE Young Reporter
iWORLD
Dead wood and fallen branches are hazards
Trees are attractive and shield unsightly views
Trees block views
But for wellmaintained street trees , this is not the case
I have always loved trees ... I love walking in the woods , I love watching trees change with the seasons and I love seeing them in our urban areas too . But recently , as you may have heard on the News , where I live ( in Sheffield , South Yorkshire ) street trees are being cut down in their hundreds . It wasn ’ t until this started that I found out just how important trees really are .
Sheffield is one of the greenest cities in the UK , partly because of its abundance of parks and woodlands , but also because of its many beautiful tree-lined streets .
Sheffield City Council have contracted ( asked ) a company to maintain and improve its streets . This company has deemed that many of the trees are either diseased , dying , affecting the pavements or are dangerous and need to be removed . They also claim that some trees are “ over-mature ” and coming to the end of their lives .
Residents now fear the council believe it is cheaper and easier to simply fell the trees than to find a solution . Tree experts agree that both pavements and healthy trees could stay by using modern , flexible , rubber paving that moves with tree roots . The experts also feel many “ overmature ” trees have tens , if not hundreds of years of life left .
At first I was unsure why people were so passionate about keeping the trees , but then I found out more ...
Mature trees are more beneficial than saplings . They are better at removing air- and noise pollution , preventing flooding , reducing temperature and wind speed and recycling soil nutrients
Trees absorb air pollution
Trees absorb carbon dioxide ( CO 2
) and give off oxygen ( O 2
)
Falling leaves and fruits make a mess on the ground
Roots help to prevent soil erosion
A large tree can provide a day ’ s supply of oxygen for up to 4 people !
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FUSE